Emmanuel lkpeama
The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to Peter Obi’s recent call for a single, non-renewable five-year term for the Nigerian presidency.
In a statement signed by the Party Spokesperson,Hon.Mogaji Seye Oladejo the APC described Obi’s proposal as a “misguided distraction” from his own political failures.
According to the APC, Obi’s proposal is not only constitutionally suspect but also politically unserious.
“The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken note of the recent comments made by Mr. Peter Obi, the perennial presidential hopeful and former governor of Anambra State, who is now advocating for a single, non-renewable five-year term for the Nigerian presidency.”
“Let it be clearly stated: Mr. Obi’s proposal is not only constitutionally suspect and politically unserious—it is a dangerous distraction from the real conversations that Nigerians should be having about leadership, accountability, and development.”he said
The party argued that a change in the duration of presidential terms would not magically fix Nigeria’s deep-seated issues, such as weak institutions, lack of policy continuity, and opportunism.
The APC also questioned Obi’s credibility, citing his tenure as Anambra State Governor, which was “mired in controversy, legal gymnastics, and underwhelming achievements”.
“Rather than addressing his glaring shortcomings in public service and his repeated failures at the national level, Mr. Obi has once again chosen to peddle half-baked ideas wrapped in populist rhetoric.”
“Nigerians must not be deceived. A change in the duration of presidential terms will not magically fix the deep-seated issues of weak institutions, lack of policy continuity, or the opportunism that defines many political actors—including Mr. Obi himself.”
The party argued that Obi didn’t exhibit revolutionary ideas or implement systemic reforms during his time in office, making his newfound role as a self-appointed constitutional philosopher ironic.
The APC believes that Obi’s proposal is a populist move masking a political agenda, designed to rewrite the rules of democracy to suit his ambitions.
“The Nigerian Constitution already provides the people with the ultimate power to choose who governs them—and for how long. Mr. Obi’s call, therefore, is not a reformist proposal, but a veiled attempt to rewrite the rules of democracy to suit his own political ambitions.”
“Having failed to win the presidency, he now seeks to alter the goalposts, hoping that structural change will succeed where his charisma and policies have failed.”
A single-term presidency, they argue, would weaken democratic accountability, deny the electorate the power to reward or punish leaders, and incentivize short-termism.
The party went further to advise Obi to focus on reorganizing his party, addressing internal crises, and providing a coherent policy agenda rather than peddling “half-baked ideas wrapped in populist rhetoric”.
“If Mr. Obi is interested in genuine national progress, he should join the conversation on electoral reform, judicial independence, economic development, and security sector transformation—issues that require depth, not soundbites.”
“Until then, we advise Mr. Obi to focus on reorganizing his fractured party, addressing internal leadership crises, and perhaps, finally providing Nigerians with a coherent policy agenda—something he conspicuously lacked throughout his 2023 and 2027 presidential campaigns.”
“Enough of political theatrics. Nigeria needs serious minds, not perennial contestants masquerading as visionaries”
The APC emphasized the need for genuine national progress through meaningful conversations on electoral reform, judicial independence, economic development, and security sector transformation.
